American Minute
with
Bill Federer
In 567 AD, the Council of Tours ended a dispute.
Western Europe celebrated Christmas, December 25, and Eastern Europe celebrated Epiphany, JANUARY 6, recalling the Wise Men's visit and Jesus' baptism.
The Council made all 12 days from December 25 to January 6 "holy days" or "holidays," thus the "Twelve Days of Christmas."
A song from 1625, "In Those Twelve Days," assigned meanings to each day:
"What are they that are but one? We have one God alone...
What are they which are by two? Two testaments, Old and New...
What are they which are but three? Three persons in the Trinity...
What are they which are but four? Four sweet Evangelists there are...
What are they which are but five? Five senses...
What are they which are but six? Six days to labor...
What are they which are but seven? Seven liberal arts hath God sent down...
What are they which are but eight? Eight Beatitudes...
What are they which are but nine? Nine Muses...with sacred tunes...
What are they which are but ten? Ten statutes God to Moses gave...
What are they which are but eleven? Eleven thousand
virgins...suffered death for Jesus' sake.
What are they which are but twelve? Twelve attending on God's son."
American Minute
with
Bill Federer
Ronald Reagan stated in his Christmas Address, DECEMBER 20, 1983:
"Sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations we forget the true meaning of Christmas...the birth of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ...
During this glorious festival let us renew our determination to follow His example."
Franklin Roosevelt said in his Christmas Message, 1942:
"I say that loving our neighbor as we love ourselves is not enough- that we as a Nation and as individuals will please God best by showing regard for the laws of God.
There is no better way of fostering good will toward man than by first fostering good will toward God. If we love Him we will keep His Commandments."
Franklin Roosevelt continued:
"In sending Christmas greetings to the armed forces and merchant sailors...we include our pride in their bravery on the fighting fronts...
It is significant that Christmas Day our plants and factories will be stilled. That is not true of the other holidays."
Franklin Roosevelt concluded:
"On all other holidays work goes on- gladly- for the winning of the war. So Christmas becomes the only holiday in all the year.
I like to think that this is so because Christmas is a holy day. May all it stands for live and grow throughout the years."
Hat Tip to my facebook buddy and fellow Okie Mark TapscottOklahoma attorney general Drew Edmondson drew national scorn earlier this year when he arrested Paul Jacob of the Sam Adams Alliance and two colleagues on trumped-up charges that they violated a discredited state law requiring all circulators of initiative petititons in Sooner Land to be residents.
Now the Okie Napoleon is banning Christmas!
I am not making this up (because I am from Oklahoma and this guy is an embarrassment).
Edmondson issued an advisory opinion to officials at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford advising them that the word "Christmas" should not be spoken by any employee of the state school, not written in any official holiday decorations.
Matt Staver and Liberty Counsel issued the following statement on the Edmondson action:
"Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), has issued a disturbing policy which requires all employees to refrain from using the word 'Christmas' in oral or written form. This directive was given by the university upon legal advice of the Oklahoma Attorney General, W.A. Drew Edmondson. Liberty Counsel sent a demand letter to SWOSU following a complaint from a university affiliate.
"John Misak, the Director of Human Resources, recently visited various university departments and employee groups and informed everyone that any decorations featuring the word 'Christmas' in any work or public areas of the university must be immediately removed. He also instructed everyone to discontinue the use of the term 'Christmas' in their speech while on the job. This censorship specifically includes exchanging greetings of 'Merry Christmas' among employees or with non-employees, whether initiated by a non-university employee or not. Christmas remains a legal holiday for state employees, including those at SWOSU. The directive does not include any other legal holidays such as Thanksgiving or New Year’s.
"The announcements made by Misak are in direct violation of the United States Constitution and other federal law. The First Amendment prohibits government from being hostile to religion. Selecting one legal holiday for negative treatment and special restrictions solely because it has religious aspects clearly demonstrates hostility toward religion. Moreover, the free speech rights of employees at the university are infringed when their speech is censored solely because of a religious viewpoint or perceived religious viewpoint. A public employer like SWOSU also violates the Civil Rights Act when it prohibits its employees from saying 'Merry Christmas.'
"Liberty Counsel’s demand letter requests an immediate reversal of the university’s unconstitutional policy. Liberty Counsel’s Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign educates and, if necessary, litigates to insure that Christmas is not censored.
Mathew D. Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, commented: 'Of all places, a public university should foster free expression. How can public university officials honestly believe that the state can prohibit its employees from saying 'Merry Christmas?' After all, Christmas is a state and federal legal holiday.'"
If you would like to tell the Okie Napoleon what you think of his advisory, you can reach his office via telephone at: 405-521-3921. Don't forget to wish him a "Merry Christmas." Please be courteous and be clear that you think Edmondson's advisory opinion is beyond ridiculous.
American Minute
